Gordon Brown visits Stones End Day Centre in Southwark

Prime Minister Gordon Brownâ€š Yvette Cooper and Tessa Jowell met older people at Age Concern Southwark and Lewisham's Stones End Day Centre on Friday

Gordon Brown on a previous visit to SE1

The Prime Minister urged people to check on their neighbours during the current cold weather and make sure that elderly and vulnerable people have the support and supplies they need if they are unable to venture out.

"Icy roads and pavements are making many older people prisoners in their homesâ€š frightened to venture out through fear of falling and leaving them feeling isolated and lonely," explains Andrew Harropâ€š head of policy at Age Concern and Help the Aged.

"With older people being one of the groups most at risk during this cold snapâ€š we are delighted ministers made the time to call in on a group of pensioners in south London.

The Stones End Day Centre on the Scovell Estate provides day care support to older people with physical and mental disabilities, visual and hearing impairment.

The Prime Minister made reference to his visit to SE1 in a podcast released on Saturday.

"I was pleased to have the chance to talk to some of our elderly citizens in Southwark, in south London, to find out how they're coping with the coldest weather of the winter so far," said the Prime Minister.

"It's extraordinary to think that in some parts of the country it's been almost as cold as in the South Pole.

"These are exceptional conditions. And I understand that for many of you this is a very serious, worrying and frustrating time."

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